Q: How do you feel about making history? (Torres is the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics, the oldest female swimmer to compete in the Olympics. She is competing in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle races.)

A: I guess I don’t really look at it like that. I feel like one of the youngsters most of the time so I don’t feel like I’ve been doing this for 24 years.

Q: If you didn’t know how old you were, how old do you suppose you would be?

A: I feel like I’m in my early 20s. I probably act like it a lot, too. I think it took a little while for the youngsters on the team to realize I’m one of them most of the time and I’m not a typical 41-year-old.

Q: What is it like being an inspiration to women young and old(er)?

A: If what I’m doing helps women become inspired to follow their dreams or to do things they thought they couldn’t do, then that’s a very rewarding feeling.

Q: What is the single biggest concession to age you’ve had to make?

A: Recovery. I didn’t realize first going into this that when you get older you really have to listen to your body and allow it to recover more than you did when you were younger.

Q: Do you feel any pressure, or do you feel like you’re playing with house money?

A: I felt a ton of pressure before the Olympic trials. I think it was because more eyes were on me than I’ve ever experienced before. But now that I’m away from it all (over here in China), it’s been pretty good. Plus, I’m in a total fun mode right now, not nervous at all.

Q: You’ve done everything possible to make the “Dirty Dara” whispers go away. Will they, and do they still bother you?

A: I’ve answered the drug question a thousand times. I’ve gone beyond what most athletes have done with being asked to be tested. I’ve been (and continue to be) both blood and urine tested. Plus they keep the samples for many, many years. There’s nothing else I can do so I just concentrate on the task at hand, which is to have fun and race hard in China.

Q: When you think back to your first Olympics in L.A. in 1984, tell me what comes to your mind?

A: Being scared out of my mind.

Q: What was it like standing on the platform as a gold medalist hearing the national anthem?

A: It was pretty special because it was on my home turf. You always watch the national anthem on TV being played, so it’s tough to describe when it’s happening to you.

Q: Favorite Seoul memory.

A: Don’t have one. Not a good Olympics for me!

Q: Favorite Barcelona memory.

A: Arnold Schwarzenegger coming into the Village and hanging.

Q: What was it like being a spectator at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics?

A: That was tough. No access to get anywhere . . . made me appreciate being an athlete. I do remember the bomb . . . very sad.

Q: What affect has your asthma had on you?

A: It’s tough. I didn’t know I had asthma as a kid, got it diagnosed a year after I retired from the ’92 Olympics. So I had been on asthma meds for six years before I got back into swimming again. I right away noticed a huge difference when I started my comeback in ’99. It’s nice to know that I now have the same breathing capacity as my competitors.

Q: How debilitating was your battle with bulimia and how did you overcome it?

A: It was a very dark time in my life. I was not a happy person. I had it for about five years and overcame it by getting back into swimming in ’91 to try for a third Olympics. I also saw a psychiatrist, too, who helped. The first step was admitting that you have a problem. That was the toughest part.

Q: You’ve also had five knee surgeries – ever feel like the Bionic Woman?

A: Actually, I’ve had six (last one was in January). Thankfully they’ve been minor (scopes), so they’ve been pretty easy to recover from.

Q: What was it like appearing in the S.I. swimsuit issue?

A: Being in the S.I. swimsuit issue was pretty amazing. My brothers used to look at it while growing up, so never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever be in that. It was very intimidating doing your first shoot with them alongside Elle MacPherson and Kathy Ireland.

Q: How does it feel being a sex symbol?

A: OMG, no one has ever called me that before! You must be in your 50s or something! (Editor’s Note: Serby is).

Q: First impressions of Beijing.

A: Love the job they’ve done with getting the city ready. The Olympic Village is great. Beautiful landscaping, great living facilities, and the food is good.

Q: How has [2-year-old daughter] Tessa changed your life?

A: She’s such a wonderful kid. Makes me slow down a little and I love taking care of someone.

Q: Would you want Tessa to be a swimmer? Why, or why not?

A: Tessa is already a swimmer. I think I’ve created a monster. She loves the water. We go swimming at least 3-4 times a week. We live in Florida. She is not a happy camper when we leave the pool.

Q: Where is she, and who is taking care of her?

A: She is home right now, and the nanny will be taking care of her until I get home. I’m not even staying ’til the end of the Games because I just want to get home to her and be with her.

Q: After giving birth . . . why decide to swim again?

A: I was only swimming for exercise, had no intentions of competing again. Guess I got the bug again.

Q: How did his battle with colon cancer affect you?

A: It affected all of my family, very much. I hated to see him in pain and not strong. Very tough to witness something like that firsthand.

Q: Why do you keep your (nine) medals under your bed?

A: They are in a safe now because my mom got upset I left them under my bed. I rarely ever take them out unless I have to do an appearance.

Q: Favorite movie.

A: “Chariots of Fire.”

Q: Favorite actor.

A: Gene Hackman.

Q: Favorite actress.

A: Meryl Streep.

Q: Favorite entertainer.

A: Meat Loaf. He has so much passion when he performs.

Q: Favorite meal.

A: Tacos.

Q: Give me a scouting report on Katie Hoff and Michael Phelps.

A: They are unbelievable swimmers. I am still amazed at how many events they are swimming. Pretty amazing.